Chapter Eight

As they talked and laughed, time flew with an amazing speed. Once, she had thought she would never find a man with whom she would be content to stay at home and do nothing for hours, but now that was all she wanted to do. It felt good to sit with him and discuss topics like their favorite TV shows, or actors, or the mayhem that gripped the world, the wars, politics, and food.

 

Riley was a man of various interests. After much pleading and begging, he finally started to teach her how to ride a bike. Initially, he sat with her every time she took it out, but, lately, he was beginning to trust her a little more with it. She could sense he loved his bike with a passion that she found amusing, but she shared it a little bit. It was heady to ride a bike and feel the wind behind her. It made her feel strong, powerful.

 

It was the fifth day since they began to openly date. Well, dating was perhaps the wrong word since they spent most of their time with each other. Tania didn’t like staying in his apartment so he was over at her place most evenings and ended up staying the night. She didn’t know what he did during the days because she was busy in the office. Presumably he contacted his mates or the people for whom he worked and did his job.

 

“Xavier has not been picking up my calls,” she said. It was Saturday afternoon and they had spent half the day lolling in bed. Although Tania told herself she didn’t want to discuss this with him, it was high time they did so. Unless the warehouse deal was sorted out, she would never be able to truly relax. “Have you tried to call him?”

 

He didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I have, but he hasn’t been picking up my calls either.”

 

“Do you think he decided to go with another buyer?”

 

He chewed on his bottom lip, looking worried. It wasn’t often that she saw him in this state, so, naturally, Tania was a bit concerned. Was there something that he wasn’t telling her? Maybe it was silly of her to trust him so implicitly when he was in direct competition with her regarding this warehouse. If her boss knew, he would hit the roof.

 

“I’ve no idea what’s going on. Although I called my board members to tell them, they didn’t appear that concerned. I told them that they needed to release some advance…perhaps that would turn him around, but they told me not to bother too much,” he said.

 

“An advance?” She stood and stretched. “That’s not the norm. How can you give some money when no papers have been signed? And he agreed to sell it to you verbally?” She frowned. Had he cracked the deal and not told her? That would be a breach of her trust. If she heard form Xavier, she would tell him. Why couldn’t he be just as honest?

 

“I’ve not talked to him.”

 

She didn’t quite know whether to take his words as truth or not. What if he was stringing her along and finalized the deal without her knowledge? She had not told him her career hung in the balance. The pressure on her was building up. If she didn’t manage to sign this deal, she might lose her job. It was a sobering and scary thought. Her career was what sustained her for a long, long time. She wasn’t willing to bid it goodbye just because she had a man in her life.

 

As she stared at him, she could tell he wasn’t feeling all that comfortable. It could be because they decided early on not to discuss this topic again and again, or because he was hiding stuff from her. She didn’t quite know what to do say or do.

 

“What should we do?” she asked him in the hopes of getting some response from him regarding this situation with Xavier.

 

He stood and walked over to the window. Lifting the curtain, he peered out. “It’s a beautiful day. We should go out.”

 

She frowned. “What?”

 

“There is a fun fair at the park. Let’s go there.”

 

She didn’t quite know what to make of this weird statement. As he turned to face her, she was taken aback by the excitement on his face. Did he actually mean it? Or was it just his excuse for changing the topic? “Fun fair? How old are you?”

 

“Never mind that.” Marching forward, he thrust out his hand at her. “It will be fun. Come on. You’ll love it.”

 

Tania didn’t quite remember the last time she went to a fun fair. It had to be way back when she was in school. Crazy as this idea was, it also appealed to her. It would get them out of the house and anything she did with Riley was always bound to be exciting. Taking his hand, she stood. “What will be next? A circus?”

 

“That might not be a bad idea. Come on, you felt the same way about bikes and now I can’t get you off mine.”

 

She was actually thinking about buying one of her own. “I seriously doubt that I would feel just as excited about a fun fair.”

 

“Wait and see, sweetheart. You’ll be singing a different tune in a while.” He grabbed his jacket with hers. “Let’s go.”

 

They walked out and she locked the house. Tania eyed the bike. “I want to drive.”

 

“Ah!” he protested. “You did it yesterday.”

 

She picked up the helmet and wore it. His fingers moved nimbly under her chin as he closed the straps. “I need practice.”

 

He sighed and let her sit on the driving seat. After taking a seat behind her, he gripped her waist. She could feel the strength and warmth of his hands on her skin through the t-shirt she wore. It felt great to ride through the streets. Now that she was with Riley, everything felt different, better. She loved this new life. It was exciting and comforting to have someone with her.

 

When they reached the park, she parked the bike. They strode inside, hand in hand. Kids raced past, heading for the gate of the fun fair while their parents marched behind. After getting the tickets, they entered. Stalls were set up in a circle. In the middle were games and rides. She saw a rollercoaster and a pirate ship. Loud music blared from speakers.

 

Riley rubbed his hands together as if he couldn’t wait to begin. “So what should we do first? How about the pirate ship?”

 

She eyed the boat that hung high up. People sat in and yelled loudly as it heaved form one side to another at a great speed. Tania felt the color drain out of her face. She was never excited about the prospect of risking her life. “I don’t think so.”

 

He yanked her forward. “You’re brave. You’re strong. You can do this.”

 

“You’re crazy. You’re a maniac. Leave me alone.” Laughing, he made her stand in the queue for tickets. They bought two and then climbed abroad the ship. “I hate this. If I die now, my ghost is going to haunt you for all eternity.”

 

“You’re not going to die,” he assured her in a calm voice.

 

“I might puke on you.”

 

“Try to do it on the other side,” he said in a clam voice as if he was sure that she wouldn’t do something like that. “After this, we do the roller coaster.”

 

“I don’t know what I saw in you.” She gripped the handle fast when the ship began to swing in the air. “You’re trying to kill me, I know that. That is your secret plan. Why didn’t I see it before?” She moaned as they swung high up, the ship almost vertical. She could see the bottom. If they fell, it was going to be a long fall. If the steel cables that held this monstrosity broke, they would all die or get seriously injured.

 

She gripped his hand. As they swung back and forth, her grip tightened more so. People around them were squealing and yelling, but she kept her mouth shut. Tania was scared that if she opened her lips, she wouldn’t ever stop until this thing came to a stop. As they continued, she began to enjoy it. It was fun in a strange sort of way.

 

When the ship came to a halt, she opened her belt and stepped out. Rubbing his arm, Riley got out. Her gaze traveled to the bruises she made where her nails dig in. “I am so sorry,” she said.

 

He put his arm around her shoulders. “No worries, sweetheart. Now, on to the roller coaster.”

 

She groaned but allowed him to lead her that way. She didn’t remember the last time she enjoyed such an activity. She never would have considered doing it with another man or even her girlfriends. It sounded so childish, and it was in a lot of ways – but it was also carefree and fun. She loved it. After the roller coaster ride was done, he bought a hot dog for her. They walked along and played some games. He shot six straight bullets into a cardboard ring and won a fat, purple teddy for her. Carrying it, she felt as if he’d given her the most precious gift.

 

They walked into a photo booth and took pictures. She messed up his hair, stuck her tongue out, and posed like a demented person. Dividing the pictures into two sets, they each put two in their wallets. It was a great memory. Perhaps, one day, she would show them to her children and tell them how it had been.

 

Children? What the hell was she thinking about? Tania never thought about such strange notions ever before. What was it about Riley that made her ponder over her future? He awakened some desire in her to nestle in a house and have three kids. What a crazy notion. She didn’t want it. She never gave marriage and kids a second thought. She was too young, and she never met man with whom she could think about spending a life time. Riley could be that man. The thought was sobering that she halted.

 

“What’s wrong?” he asked, clearly noticing.

 

“I…not…just…”

 

“I know, I am tired, too. How about we get a cone of ice cream and then head home?”

 

Yes, that was a good idea. She needed to wrap her mind around the silly thoughts she harbored. It was stupid of her to think they would last for a long time. Riley was a free man. He wasn’t the sort who put in his roots anywhere. Soon he would move, find another woman, or, perhaps, just shift in a different direction. If she thought about a long-term with him, she was setting herself up for disappointment. He wasn’t thinking along these lines, and she should stop doing so. It was enough that they enjoyed this time together – and it had to be enough for now, and, perhaps, forever.